ME air cargo claims 7.7pc of global tonnage

Dubai, June 8, 2011

Air cargo moving into, within, and out of the Middle East is estimated to have accounted for 7.7 per cent of the world’s tonnage and for 6.9 per cent of the world’s revenue tonne-kilometers during 2009, said a study.

The projected annual growth rate for the next 20 years is 4.0 per cent, added the Boeing World Air Cargo Forecast (WACF), the airline manufacturer’s biennial assessment of the air cargo industry.

The four largest economies in the region commanded 70 per cent of the region’s GDP in 2009. Not only have the oil exporters of the region benefited from the oil boom, but nearly all the other countries have as well, the forecast said.

The Middle East serves as a crossroad for Africa, Asia, and Europe, with Dubai handling approximately 70 per cent of the air cargo traffic for the region.

The Middle East is starting to diversify beyond the oil industry to industrial and business development. An example is Dubai, where a long-term effort has produced an economy strong in logistics, tourism, banking, and construction. This expansion will lead to growing air cargo flows, the study said.

There also has been movement toward economic liberalization and cooperation between countries. These changes should improve the region’s investment climate and economic competitiveness. New highways and trade agreements will facilitate increased intraregional cargo flows.

Middle East–Europe traffic

Air cargo growth between the Middle East and Europe has been strong since 1999, with the 7.8 per cent annual growth of the smaller westbound market outpacing that of the eastbound market at 5.6 per cent.

Trade with Europe accounted for 1,076,000 tonnes of air cargo in 2009 and represented 41 per cent of the Middle East’s international air cargo market.

Total 2009 air cargo was down in this market 14.9 per cent from its 2008 peak, as a result of the global economic downturn. Bidirectional air cargo growth in these markets has averaged an impressive 6.5 per cent annually between 1999 and 2009.

The large volume of air cargo that flows through the Middle East, rather than originating or terminating there, reflects the region’s importance as a cargo hub.The region also has a significant sea-air market, in which goods from South Asia arrive in the Middle East on ships and continue to Europe by air.

New infrastructure will reinforce the region’s role as a hub. Dubai’s new Al Maktoum International Airport is planned to be the world’s largest cargo hub and received its first cargo flight in the summer of 2010.

Middle East–Asia traffic

In 2009, air cargo between the Middle East and Asia represented 32 per cent of the total Middle East traffic at 839,000 tonnes, the forecast said.

In 2009, 839,000 tonnes of air cargo was shipped between Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. Liberalizing markets, economic growth, increasing numbers of direct flights, and lower costs will contribute to further expansion in this market, possibly diverting high-value shipments from surface transportation.

Middle East–North America traffic

In 2009, North America accounted for approximately 10 per cent of the air cargo market in the Middle East at 285,500 tonnes.

Growth in the North America-to-Middle East market has been robust, with an annual growth rate of 8.3 per cent, but this flow is still small compared to others in the Middle East region.

Air cargo from the Middle East to North America has essentially remained flat for the past decade, averaging only 1 per cent annual growth. Total Middle East–North America air cargo is down 12.5 per cent from its 2008 peak, said Boeing’s forecast.

Middle East forecast

Overall air cargo between the Middle East and Europe is forecast to grow at an average annual rate of 6.0 per cent from 2009 to 2029, the analysis said.

Europe, as the Middle East’s largest air cargo partner, is crucial to understanding the future development of the Middle East market.

The average annual growth in air exports from the Middle East to Europe has been 7.8 per cent for 1999 to 2009. Air cargo traffic between the Middle East and Europe is at some risk from direct flights between production centers in Asia and Europe.

Nevertheless, increasing local exports, coupled with the continued market in Europe for goods from Asia and Africa transshipped through the Middle East, should maintain healthy growth in this market.

Traffic from Europe to the Middle East grew at an annual rate of 5.6 per cent between 1999 and 2009.

The annual rate for the next 20 years is expected to be 5.3 per cent. The price of oil will have a significant effect on Middle East demand for products from Europe, as will the ability of the region’s economies to diversify and become more competitive.

In particular, the competiveness of local products, including perishables, fish, and textiles, together with the products of emerging light industries, will affect long-term growth prospects.

Economic activity from 1999 to 2009 was augmented by the US military presence in the region. It is therefore reasonable for growth to slow as this situation changes.

The forecasts assume that existing conflicts will not widen. Any material change for the worse in the region’s political situation will significantly affect economic growth and air cargo traffic volumes, said the Boeing study. – TradeArabia News Service